Conversations with Masha Andreyev

Today we’d like to introduce you to Masha Andreyev.

Masha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always been an artist ever since I could hold a pencil. I was a shy and nervous kid, so I often found myself most at peace when I was drawing and daydreaming. From then, I knew I wanted my life to revolve around the arts. It took a while for me to find my footing. I started out in painting and photography- which helped build my confidence immensely. But, after graduating with a degree in Fine Arts from UC Irvine, I was kind of lost. I loved being creative, but the painting studio became isolating. I craved something more collaborative. I wanted to use my abilities as an artist and contribute to something larger than what I could accomplish on my own. That’s what led me to film. I haven’t looked back. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I don’t think any road is totally smooth, but that’s what makes it fun. Imagine a rollercoaster with no ups and downs- that wouldn’t be very exciting. I started out as a fine artist, and it was quite the identity shift when I found myself more drawn to a totally different medium and community. Designing for film is very different from what I was used to. There’s a totally different culture and language in filmmaking. I felt like I was starting at the beginning all over again. There’s not a set path either, which can be exciting and terrifying at the same time. While collaboration fuels my passion, navigating this world necessitates a high degree of self-motivation. Admittedly, the journey can sometimes feel thankless, but I’ve learned resilience by anchoring myself to my passion for storytelling and design. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Art is like a language to me. It starts with something abstract, an idea, an emotion, etc. Then, as the artist, I turn it into something tangible. I call this skillset “the artistic translator”: an ability to convert intangible ideas into a visual medium. 

Film appeals to me because the workflow is very similar. We start with an abstract idea, which is then turned into a screenplay. From there, I get to play in designing how something written becomes real. This visual adaptation is where I feel my abilities as an artist get to shine. It’s what I always loved about being creative, and I get to do it with other incredible storytellers. My personal style leans into the surreal and the fantastical and always has a bit of humor. Whether it’s a conceptual drawing of a fictional world or materializing my own psyche into paintings, my body of work is an exploration of storytelling, not in a spoken language, but a visual one. 

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Would it be cliché to say art? Seriously, I can’t think of anything else that encapsulates all the different things that matter to me. Creativity, expression, and passion are all found in art. I think if I truly break it down, what I really value is connection. Art fosters connection through emotion, shared experiences, collaboration, and inspiration. Art has always been my means of expression and communication. It is what facilitates my understanding of others and myself. That’s probably why I’ve committed my life to being an artist. So I can continue to connect with the world. 

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maria.rusty/
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maria-andreyev-7ab981146